Samoa declares state of emergency over deadly measles epidemic

Posted on November 17, 2019 by Admin

At least six deaths have been linked to the outbreak, in a nation where vaccination rates are alarmingly low

Samoa has closed all schools and cracked down on public gatherings as it enters a state of emergency over the deadly measles outbreak spreading across the Pacific islands.

The island state of just 200,000, halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, announced the state of emergency on Saturday after declaring a measles epidemic late in October, when the first deaths were reported.

‘The silence is suffocating’: family abuse ‘epidemic’ uncovered in Samoa | Eleanor Ainge Roy

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Admin

The beautiful Polynesian island is home to a fiercely traditional society rife with domestic violence

Blood on the walls. Bruises like smashed plums. As long as Sefina* can remember, family violence has been part of her life. She watched her mother routinely attacked by her stepfather. “Sorry,” her mother would whisper afterwards to the children.

Then, Sefina’s elder sister was nearly killed by a group of male relatives for breaking the curfew. “Sorry,” her sister told her as she later left the island for good.

Backlash in Samoa over ‘hypocritical’ Rocketman ban

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Admin

Activists accuse censors of ‘selective morality’ in nation where transgender women are widely accepted

The banning of Rocketman, a biographic film about the life of musician Elton John, in Samoa has prompted criticism by human rights activists of “selective morality” in a country where transgender women are widely accepted.

The public found out about the ban through the cancellation of a screening by the only theatre in the country, Apollo Cinemas Samoa, on Monday.

Samoa bans Elton John biopic Rocketman over gay scenes

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Admin

Pacific nation’s censor says homosexual activity depicted on screen violates its laws

The Pacific nation of Samoa has banned the Elton John biopic Rocketman because of its depictions of homosexuality.

About 97% of people in Samoa identify as Christian, and the society is generally considered conservative and traditional. Under Samoa’s 2013 Crimes Act, sodomy is deemed an offence punishable by up to seven years in prison, even if both parties consent.